Louis Gerstner, credited with rescuing IBM from decline, has died aged 83.
He served as chair and chief executive from 1993 to 2002 during a period of deep uncertainty.
Gerstner took over as the first outsider to lead IBM as rivals such as Microsoft and Sun Microsystems eroded its dominance.
He famously rejected plans to break IBM into smaller units.
Instead, Gerstner argued customers wanted integrated solutions, not fragmented technology.
That decision is widely credited with saving the company.
IBM’s current chief executive, Arvind Krishna, said Gerstner reshaped IBM by focusing on future client needs.
He described Gerstner as intense, direct, and demanding, with a sharp balance of short- and long-term thinking.
IBM had lost ground after the rise of PC clones built on Intel processors and Microsoft software.
Gerstner prioritised profitability and customer service over grand visions.
He also ended IBM’s OS/2 operating system, conceding defeat to Microsoft’s Windows.
Before IBM, Gerstner led American Express and RJR Nabisco.
After leaving IBM, he chaired the Carlyle Group.
Gerstner is remembered as the leader who stabilised Big Blue when its future was in doubt.
